Imagine the dust left over from recycling steel as a hidden gold mine of zinc and iron. Instead of using dirty coal to get these metals out, this method uses hydrogen to act like a chemical magnet. It cleans the waste and turns it back into valuable raw materials while recycling its own energy and gas in a closed loop.
Steel producers face high costs and environmental liabilities from hazardous Electric Arc Furnace Dust. Current recovery methods are inefficient, rely on coal, and waste valuable iron.
A prototype rotary kiln for metal recovery and a digital twin simulation for process optimization.
If you are an EAF operator dealing with hazardous Electric Arc Furnace Dust (EAFD) — this project developed a hydrogen-based recovery process that turns a costly waste stream into a revenue source of zinc and high-quality recycled iron.
If you are a processor dealing with the EU's 1.5 million tonnes of annual steel dust — this project developed a rotary kiln technology that recovers critical materials like zinc, strengthening strategic autonomy over raw materials.
If you are a waste manager dealing with hazardous residue landfilling — this project developed a low-CO2 recovery system that eliminates landfill dependency by converting hazardous dust into marketable metals.
Based on available project data, the technology turns a costly waste stream into a revenue source worth millions of euros annually by recovering both zinc and iron.
The project is currently building and operating a demonstrator plant and developing a technical and economic blueprint to pave the way for the first industrial-scale plants.
Based on available project data, the project is developing a full technical blueprint for commercialization, but specific licensing terms are not yet detailed.
The system uses a prototype rotary kiln and a digital twin for real-time monitoring and optimization to ensure it meets industrial conditions and market quality standards.
The project runs from 2024-01-01 to 2026-12-31, focusing on prototype validation and the creation of a commercialization blueprint.
The consortium is heavily industry-driven with a 71% industry ratio, comprising 5 industrial partners and 2 universities across 5 countries. This strong industrial presence, including 2 SMEs, suggests a high focus on commercial viability and practical application rather than pure academic research.
Contact Montanuniversitaet Leoben in Austria
Contact us to explore licensing opportunities for the Dust2Value hydrogen recovery blueprint.
